Friends rally round to boost Hebburn dad’s brave cancer fight

Chris Maxwell

Big-hearted pals of a South Tyneside father who is facing the fight of his life against cancer have joined forces to boost his bid to beat the disease – as he battles a new setback after returning home from pioneering treatment in Germany.

Alan Dobson jetted off to the St Georg Clinic, in Bad Aibling, Germany, for specialist cancer treatment last month after being told his condition, which has spread to his lungs and liver, was terminal by doctors in this country.

This is all about saving his life, you can’t get a better cause than that.

Kelly Donnelly

The 32-year-old returned home last week, but is currently recovering in South Tyneside Hospital after picking up a viral infection while in Germany.

The dad-of-two, from Marina View, Hebburn, still has plans to return to Germany for further medical support – with a course of treatment costing about £25,000 – and friends Kelly Donnelly and Wendy Stead have organised a charity night to bolster funds.

A fundraising page set up to raise funds for Alan’s first trip brought in more than £17,000.

The fundraising evening, which will include a raffle and an auction, will be held at the Mill Tavern, Hebburn, from 7pm to 12.30pm on Saturday, July 4.

Miss Donnelly, 37, from Hebburn, said: “This is all about saving his life, you can’t get a better cause than that.

“We have already got a lot of fantastic prizes.”

The organisers are planning to put together a wedding package as a raffle for future brides and bridegrooms as a prize on the night.

Tickets for the event are £5. For more information, call miss Donnelly on 07837777549.